The A Word star Christopher Eccleston reveals Maurice’s grief as his children ‘fall apart’ in series 3

Jack Pusey

5 May 2020, 20:34

Updated: 5 May 2020, 22:00

CHRISTOPHER Eccleston has admitted no show he’s previously worked on has had as big an audience reaction as The A Word.

The BBC’s poignant drama, which follows the family of a boy called Joe after he is diagnosed with autism and sees the Emmy Award-winning actor play granddad Maurice Scott, returns tonight for series three.

4

The show stars Christopher Eccleston and Morven ChristieCredit: BBC

As well as having played the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the mid-2000s, Eccleston has starred in a host of big TV dramas and movies including Clocking off and 28 Days Later.

But ahead of the third series of The A Word, the 56-year-old insisted the previous two had “touched” viewers like nothing else he’d ever done.

And the dad-of-two said he was intrigued what the reaction to season 3 would be as everyone watching will be cooped up with their families – much like in the show – during the COVID-19 enforced lockdown.

Eccleston told The Bournemouth Echo: "This programme has connected me with the public like no other, because everybody seems to be touched in some way, by autism or Down's syndrome.

4

Christopher Eccleston hints that The A Word will run for many more years and track Joe's journey through adolescenceCredit: BBC

more on BBC

BEEB BOSS PAY CUT

New BBC director general Tim Davie will take £150,000 pay cut

Exclusive

CHANTS TO CHEER

Football fans will be able to cheer on teams when crowdless games return